Gym expands to meet growing demand from over-60s
A Bath gym has expanded as demand for personal training among the over-60s booms after lockdown.
Helen Pettemerides set up her own studio on London Road East eight years ago, after working for a local chiropractor.
Now, despite the business having been closed for nearly a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, she has seen more people than ever sign up for fitness plans.
The 43-year-old said: “I think people are more aware of their fitness after Covid and it’s brought people’s attention to looking after their health.
“We have even got people in their eighties coming.
“I have been able to expand and take on another personal trainer as well. It opened on June 1 and it’s been really busy.”
Helen’s studio was at full capacity before the pandemic but, thanks to the car workshop next door becoming available, she has grown her business and created more space for clients.
But Pettemerides Personal Training isn’t your normal gym – all three coaches can deal with a range of medical conditions, as well as helping clients tone up.
Helen, who learnt her trade at Premier Training in Trowbridge, is a level four personal trainer and loves helping people with neurological conditions, diabetes and cardiac rehabilitation. She said: “I want to make people’s lives a bit better.
“It’s so rewarding to be able to help Mrs Smyth be able to walk home from the supermarket with her shopping, when she couldn’t before. At my studio, we are quite unique in that we have three personal trainers with an exercise referral qualification.
“That covers everything from arthritis to osteoporosis to high blood pressure and people who want to lose weight.
“Two of us can also see people with Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis.”
Even during lockdown, Helen helped her clients stay fit with outdoor sessions. Now, she is back to offering one-to-one sessions, personalised fitness plans and supervised gym slots.
You can find out more on www. pettemeridespersonaltraining.co.uk